Care for Your Hard-Working Feet

Did you struggle after the holidays to shake the vacation cobwebs out of your head and remember basic work functions? One thing you absolutely should not forget is foot safety on the job! Even relatively sedentary jobs can require you to use your feet to get around the office or shop. Using your feet during the workday can create lasting wear and tear, which can lead to larger issues like bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, heel pain, and more. Although most of us must work to live, we don’t need to suffer from foot pain to carry on!

Hygiene is number one

Caring for your feet at work should be a top item on your daily checklist. To ensure your feet are cared for throughout the working day, start with good hygiene. Washing your feet thoroughly with soap and warm water, and then drying them off well (don’t forget between the toes!) can be an excellent way to prevent issues like athlete’s foot or fungal nails. When you trim your toenails, make sure you cut them straight across and not too close to the nailbed. Cutting your toenails at an angle or curve can cause you a painful ingrown toenail.

Prevent extra sweaty work feet

A great way to prevent your feet from sweating too much is to pack an extra pair of socks for work, especially if you work a job that gets you up and moving. Changing your socks in the middle of the day will help to keep them dry and prevent athlete’s foot and foot odor.

Here are some more ways to prevent extra sweaty work feet:

Try a foot powder to help absorb moisture

Change your shoes up daily to let them “rest” and prevent bacteria growth

Choose work shoes made from a breathable canvas material that won’t trap moisture

Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to happy working feet. Have questions about your foot health at work? It’s time to pick up the phone and call us. Our podiatrists, Dr. Stuart Snyder, and Dr. Sara Sharma, here at Maple Springs Foot Center serve the Gaithersburg area. They have extensive experience diagnosing and treating any foot or ankle condition you might be suffering from. To get in touch, request an appointment online or call our Gaithersburg, MD office at 301-762-3338.